By Florence Mercat
“¿Cómo te ha ido?”… “¿Cómo va todo?” … “Cuídate mucho.”
Those are just a few of the phrases that have become the daily soundtrack to my time in Colombia.
I set my suitcases down exactly one day after finishing a semester of law school.
If I thought I was traveling here to catch my breath, I was mistaken. Instead, I walked straight into the epicenter of a historic presidential election. The energy of the country forced a shift in perspective and the bubble of student life quickly disappeared.
Cómo te ha ido? (How has everything been?)
Trying to untangle the stream of political information was a challenge, especially while navigating my passion for social justice and an aversion to political extremes. Whenever I discussed politics, I tried to keep an open mind. I quickly realized that people’s political opinions stem from experiences that I could not begin to grasp or fully understand. There are lived realities of violence and fear that I had a hard time wrapping my head around. I was grateful that this was not my first time in Colombia because I had some familiarity with the country’s challenges. However, this time, returning as a law student, I had a sharper critical lens and I wanted to dig into the deeper structural roots of the issues I was hearing about.
Before starting my internship, I had done research into Dejusticia, the organization where I now work. I was immediately impressed by its scholarship. Once I arrived, I found myself in the privileged position of learning from colleagues whose expertise in human rights helped shape and deepen my reflections. Moreover, my work itself provided the tools to help me find my own answers. I was plunged into a large research project that required analyzing hundreds of pages of newspaper archives. Through those archives, I gained a deeper comprehension of the structural issues that continue to shape Colombia such as corruption, unequal land ownership, and the enduring legacy of armed conflict. Together, these issues point to one overarching reality, that of deep socioeconomic inequality.
Those inequalities shape how Colombians experience politics and what they prioritize. For some, economic stability is paramount. For others, protecting democracy and the rule of law comes first. Still others prioritize addressing the exclusion of marginalized communities, including Indigenous peoples who continue to advocate for greater representation.
At the same time, it was often difficult to understand what each presidential candidate truly represented. Conversations were frequently shaped by competing narratives and rumors of the opposing candidate. In an era of misinformation, reading and analyzing these sources helped me distinguish between political narratives and evidence, allowing me to develop a more textured view of the conversations I participated in.
“¿Cómo va todo?” (How is everything?)
What surprised me most in those archives was not only the reporting on conflict crises, but also the optimism woven throughout many opinion columns. Despite important challenges, there was an unmistakable sense of pride in the country and hope for its future. Those glimpses of resilience echoed something I had noticed during my previous time in Colombia.Those columns helped me understand this trend more deeply and to see how resilience is present in everyday life and public discourse.
Fast forward a month, I have become immersed in this atmosphere. As I step into the taxi, I start a conversation with the taxi driver about nothing and everything. I leave a store and someone wishes me well. My supervisor always tells me to take good care of myself. Although these gestures might seem automatic, they symbolize a culture that places value on warmth and human connection.
Despite navigating a period of significant change, Colombians show me that it is essential to adapt and look at the bright side of things. What I appreciate most is the way these interactions invite you to disconnect from the usual rush and simply be present in the moment.
“Cuídate mucho.” (Take great care of yourself.)
That same spirit of care is deeply present at Dejusticia.
Watching my colleagues has been incredibly inspiring. They communicate with intention and approach every challenge with strategic clarity while creating an environment that values collaboration. What strikes me is the balance they maintain between meaningful work and personal well-being, the strong sense of mutual support and the positive energy that everyone actively contributes to.
As I continue this journey in Colombia, I hope to keep learning from the people around me and to carry that same sense of balance back to law school.
